background

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Neuro-Ophthalmology

Neuro-ophthalmology is a subspecialty of both neurology and ophthalmology that deals with visual problems related to the nervous system. It encompasses a wide range of conditions affecting the visual pathways, including the optic nerve, optic chiasm, optic tracts, and areas of the brain responsible for vision.

Neuro-ophthalmologists work closely with neurologists, neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, and other specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients with complex visual and neurological disorders.

Here are some key aspects of neuro-ophthalmology:

  • Visual Pathway Disorders : Neuro-ophthalmologists diagnose and manage disorders affecting the visual pathways, such as optic neuritis, optic neuropathy, and tumors affecting the optic nerves or chiasm.
  • Double Vision (Diplopia) : Diplopia can result from a variety of causes including nerve palsies, muscle disorders, or problems with the brainstem. Neuro-ophthalmologists diagnose and treat these conditions.
  • Eye Movement Disorders : They assess and treat abnormalities in eye movements, which may result from neurological conditions like cranial nerve palsies, nystagmus, or disorders of eye muscle control.
  • Visual Field Loss : Neuro-ophthalmologists help diagnose and manage conditions causing visual field loss, such as optic nerve damage, stroke affecting the visual pathways, or conditions like glaucoma.
  • Pupil Abnormalities : Conditions like Horner's syndrome (characterized by drooping eyelid, constricted pupil, and decreased sweating on one side of the face) are often evaluated by neuro-ophthalmologists.
  • Specialized Testing : They may employ specialized tests such as visual field testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT), visual evoked potentials (VEP), or electrophysiological tests to evaluate visual function and diagnose underlying conditions.